The groups in the Women’s Champions League have been decided. Bayern Munich, VfL Wolfsburg as well as TSG Hoffenheim will meet some top-class teams.
The draw for the Champions League group stage was made on Monday. From a German perspective, champions Bayern Munich, runners-up Wolfsburg and TSG Hoffenheim, who qualified for further participation in two preliminary rounds and will be making their debut in the top flight, are all in the draw.
Wolfsburg v Chelsea – “a real classic “
The Wolves are in Group A – together with Chelsea, Juventus Turin and Servette Geneva. “We are looking forward to a very attractive group stage, which we are entering with the clear goal of reaching the quarter-finals for the tenth time in a row,” Ralf Kellermann, the VfL women’s sporting director, is quoted as saying in a club press release. “Especially with a view to the numerous Wolfsburgers with Italian roots, the guest game of Juventus Turin will be a highlight at the AOK Stadium. Furthermore, we are looking forward to another reunion with Pernille Harder and the altogether fifth duel with Chelsea FC – a real classic in this competition. I’m also looking forward to the game against Servette Geneva, after all we’re facing a Swiss team in the Champions League for the first time ever.”
Champions League newcomers Hoffenheim face defending champions
The other two Bundesliga teams also face top-flight opposition. Hoffenheim will face Arsenal, Danish champions HB Koge and defending champions Barcelona in Group C. This is a group “in which we have nothing to lose”, coach Gabor Gallai is quoted as saying on the club website. “We are really looking forward to these challenges and just want to enjoy it. It’s great that we get to compete with such opponents and soon Barcelona and Arsenal will be in Hoffenheim.”
FC Bayern München will face BK Häcken, Benfica Lisbon as well as record winners Olympique Lyon in Group D. Group B is the only one without German representation (Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Breidablik, WFC Kharkiv).
The group stage matches are scheduled for 5/6 and 13/14 October, 9/10 and 17/18 November, and 8, 9, 15 and 16 December. The top two in each group will qualify for the quarter-finals, the rest of the tournament will be drawn on 20 December. All matches will be broadcast live on DAZN.
